The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-10
GEORGIA'S CENTRAL CITY.
ruE BLACK BELT AND THE WHITE
MANS COUNTRY.

Geological Formations A Noble
Corps of Drummers--M in the
Van 49, Educational, Colleges, Free
Schools - Charitable Institutions -
state Fair-President Northen-The
outlook of the Exhibition President
Davis-A Generous Rivalry-Only
Two-Thirds Crop of Cotton.
The city of Macon possesses one of the
most salient and advantageous locations,
considered from every point of view, to be
found in the South Just here is the
dividing line between the primary and
secondary geological formations To the
north billy region Astounding in purling
streams and springs of the purest freestone
water, where wheat and all the cereals
flourish, and that GROWING blessing of life,
good health, may be enjoyed. South of this
fine famous black belt stretches forth, where
King Cotton" rules supreme, and the
African element, numerically, predominates
largely. The former is emphatically a
WHITE MANS COUNTRY
now, and will remain so to the end of time
In this favored climate all the productions
Of the temperate zone may be successfully
grown, and the farmer, with the assistance
of his stalwart sons, is absolutely indie
PENDENT of negro labor. Grapes, peaches.
sugar cane, melons, sweet potatoes, tobacco
and the LeConte pear find their native
home in the genial soil. To assure success,
industry, proper fertilization and intelli-
gent cultivation are all that is required.
The soil, when apparently exhausted by re-
peated cropping year after year, if allowed
TO rest, and protected from washing, recup-
crates with wonderful rapidity, and with
ordinary attention will steadily improve.
The SO called
BLACK BELT,
embracing all of Southwestern Georgia and
q large portion of Alabama, Mississippi and
Louisiana, is the home of the cotton plant,
and in Georgia, at least, so soft and genial
is the soil, that often as many as fifty acres
to the mule is successfully cultivated Here,
too, vegetables, melons and truck farming
generally are found to be valuable addenda
to the revenue derived from the great
staple.
Both of these important sections pour their
rich products into Macon, which of late years
has become a leading distributing point
for the trade of the State. Indeed, her
wholesale houses and enterprising CONNER
cial travellers knock at the very doors of
Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah, and COM
pete with success for the business of those
places
The growth of the city has been substan-
tial, as well as rapid and numerous manu-
featuring industries, both small and great,
have been established, each contributing its
share to the general prosperity.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools and colleges of Macon place
educational centres of the South. Outside
of these which are all literally endowed
and generously supported, we find here a
system of free schools which cannot be sur
passed in any community. They have dis
armed opposition and are annually adding
to the list of matriculates, which include
the children of the best and most influential
citizens. Well may Macon be proud of her
public schools.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
These are numerous, representing alike
the State, county and city. Here we have
that admirable foundation, the Academy
for the Blind, presided over by Prof. w. D.
Williams who has succeeded in making
skilled artisans, musical experts and useful
citizens of the unfortunate patients under
his tutelage; the famous Appleton Home,
the Orphan Asylum, recently destroyed by
fire, but replaced with a handsome brick
edifce, the Alexander High School. richly
endowed, and its 100 free scholarships
eagerly sought after, and last, but not least,
the
Rolf HOME,
Just completed, and used by the city and
county as a Door house and hospital. This
model institution is deserving of more par
ticular notice. 1t is named in honor of the
donor of the site, Mr.. Rolf, who in 1872
gave AZ acres of land, beautifully situated
in Vineville, to Bib county. to be used as
a hospital. or home for the destitute
Recently, by agreement with the County
Commissioners, the city has erected a clus-
tsr of eight comnodious and handsome
cottages, all detached from each other, and
thoroughly ventilated, finished and fur
niShed with special attention to the comfort
and convenience of the inmates. The pest
house. for patients afflicted with smallpox
and other contagious diseases, is placed at
the farthest end of the grounds, where there
can be no danger from contact or atmos-
pheric influence. Mr. Harmon, the veteran
superintendent of the former County Hos
pital, is in charge, and it would be difficult
to find any one who could fill the situation
as acceptably and faithfully to
the authorities and the poor
sufferers themselves All the bed
rooms, halls and dining apartments
are kept scrupulouslv clean and neat, and
the table fare of the patients is abundant,
nutritious and well cooked. The dispen-
sary, kitchen, pantry, bath rooms, offices
and residence of the Superintendent are all
deity arranged and equipped with every
needed convenience. In short, this city and
county hospital and poor house is blessing
to the community, and almost faultlesS in
every respect. The average number of the
inmates and patients is about 10.
THE STATE FAIR
looms up with far greater significance and
promise than any previous annual exhibit
Of the Georgia Agricultural Society ever
presented to the public
President Northen, himself a model
farmer and stock raiser, is devoting every
energy to the enterprise, and when the
lark gates are opened there will be seen an
unprecedented array of the products and
Ciustries of Georgia, illustrating, as never
Las been done before, the varied resources
# the Empire State of the South in the
'Hld, garden, orchard, factory,
o.iry, fine arts, machinery and
INVENTIVE genius of her people Choice
flooded stock, representing the best strains
If horses, cattle, swine, sheep and poultry
will be on hand by the hundred, and such a
cornucopia of good things as were never
gathered together in our Southland will
greet the fading vision of the beloved, erst-
while President of the Southern Confed-
eracy, and the host of reverential comrades
and visitors who will joyfully come forth to
greet him, on what will doubtless be his last
appearance in public
Mr.. Northern is also ably assisted by Supt.